The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Kano has denied reports suggesting it opposes President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s potential candidacy as the sole candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election. According to the state chairman of the forum, Gwani Farouk Umar, a recent statement attributed to the ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Professor Muhd Tukur Baba, does not reflect the forum’s position.
Umar addressed journalists on Wednesday, dismissing a BBC report that quoted Professor Baba as saying the group did not support Tinubu’s sole candidacy for the APC ticket in 2027. The chairman emphasized that the comments were not made on behalf of the ACF and that the forum is displeased with the statement. He noted that the Kano Chapter has disavowed the comments and urged the national body of the ACF to scrutinize any political declaration before it is made public.
This is not the first instance of a representative of the ACF making a statement that was later denied by the forum. Umar recalled a similar incident in the past where a representative supported a candidate in an election, only for the forum to later deny the statement. The chairman has urged the leadership to caution Professor Baba to prevent a recurrence.
In a separate development, Umar praised Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for presenting a bill to the state assembly to grant local governments full autonomy. He urged lawmakers to pass the bill and called on anti-corruption agencies to ensure that public funds are not misused. The ACF had previously met with representatives of political parties ahead of the 2023 general elections and secured their commitments to the forum’s demands.
The denial by the ACF’s Kano chapter highlights the importance of clear communication and coordination within the organization. As the 2027 presidential election approaches, the ACF’s position on key issues will be closely watched. The forum’s efforts to promote good governance and accountability, as evident in its support for local government autonomy, will likely continue to be a focus of its activities.
